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In the past, we covered tiny microwave radar modules operating at 5.8 GHz and measuring just 32 x 23 mm. Those modules are normally used to detect motion, distance, and/or direction of movement.

Socionext has now introduced MN87900, a single low-power single-chip 24 GHz radio wave IoT sensor solution that even smaller at just 12x7mm with the chip, Tx and Rx antennas, crystal, and 40-pin to solder the module to your board. The solution targets IoT equipments, security systems, smart home appliances, autonomous vehicles and drones, medical devices, and more.

SocioNext MN87900 key specifications:

Sensor Type – CW, FSKCW, FMCW (moving or stationary)

Detection

Motion direction – approaching or leaving

Motion speed – up to 200 km/h

Range – 0.15 to 8 meters 80°@-3dB, expandable to 30 meters with a radome horn, a metal shield that narrows the field of view.

Variable frequency width – 24.15±0.1 GHz

Transmission Power – 0.8mW

Host Interface – SPI

Power supply voltage – 2.5V

Current consumption – 200mA

Module size – 12mm x 7mm x 1mm

Weight – 145 mg

Temperature Range – -40°C to 85°C

The chip is said to offers multi-mode sensing capabilities for detecting stationary or moving objects and measuring the distance and direction of movement, including whether an object is approaching or leaving.

The company also mentions the module can detect very slow movements such as breathing, muscle activity, or heartbeats, and while in continuous operation the MN87900 radar sensor consumes 500mW, it’s possible to use intermittent operation to reduce power requirements. For example, using one-sixth bursts consumes 80 mW. Another advantage highlighted by the company is that the system does not violate privacy since it can detect people, objects and complex activities without using a camera combined with computer vision.

An API is available to make of CW (continuous-wave Doppler), FSKCW (frequency shift keyed continuous wave), and FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous-wave) capabilities to sense distance, direction, and relative velocity information.

The company did not close pricing for the module. You’ll find more technical details on the product page.

Google’s Project Soli sensing technology uses a miniature radar to detect touchless gesture interactions, so that you can control devices such as wearables using gestures without having to physical touch the product. The 60 GHz radar technology used in the project has been developed by Infineon, and the company was recently interviewed by Arrow Electronics where they showcased Soli board, as well as another 24 GHz radar development kit called Sense2Go.

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The Soli board called BGT60TR24 features Infineon XMC4500 ARM Cortex M4 MCU, and a 60 GHz “CRIS20” radar chip designed specially for Project Soli by Infineon, and allowing 20mm resolution, falling to less than one millimeter with Google’s algorithms. The micro USB port will be used for power and programming. This board should be the one included in Project Soli development kit to be shipped to developers this fall.

Infineon also have a Sense2Go 24GHz sensor development kit that can detect motion, speed, and direction of movement in applications such as indoor/outdoor smart lighting, intruder alarm, motion detectors, intelligent door openers, and more.

The CPU is already preprogrammed using Infineon’s DAVE development tool, and the module comes bundled with a standalone firmware for movement detection without the aid of a PC. It samples up to 2 IF channels of the transceiver chipset and communicates via USB interface to a connected PC, and provided PC application GUI (Windows XP/Vista/7/8) can be used to display and analyze acquired data in time and frequency domain.

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The kit also includes a User’s Manual, schematic and Bill-of-Materials of the module, and a micro USB-to-USB cable. Sense2Go can be purchased from various distributors using part number, including Future Electronics ($244) and Avnet.

A few days ago, I wrote about Orbbec Astra 3D camera that can analyze distance and depth to form a 3D image of object. However, this solution uses an IR sensors, and while it can fulfill the needs of many application it does not allow to see through object, and that’s exactly what Walabot wideband MIMO radar board promises to do thanks to Vayyar 3D imaging sensor and a dozen of RF antennas.

Some of the key features and preliminary specifications of Walabot board include:

Vayyar VYYR2401 3D imaging sensor

12 (or is it 14?) non-contact antennas array system based on “Octopus A3 System on chip”

Walabot SDK is currently available for Windows, and supports C#/VB/C++, but depending on demand, the company will ost probably provide SDk for Linux (C++), and Android (C++ and Java). The API will provide calls for setting-up the system, single target location, respiration and heartbeat monitoring, doppler speed measurement, RF imaging, presence monitoring, S11 measurements and calibration, and more.

Walabot development kit can be pre-ordered for $249 ($20 off with MAKERWALABOT coupon) with shipping scheduled for Q1 2016. For more details and/or pre-order the board, you can check out Walabot and Vayyar websites. If you have an interesting project, you can go to the Lab section of Walabot website to answer a few questions, describe your project, and you may be sent one for free.